Dallaglio retired after Wasps' Premiership win over Leicester

Former captain Lawrence Dallaglio has dismissed fears England are embarking on another "tour from hell" when they play in New Zealand later this month.

Ten years ago a depleted England suffered a record 76-0 defeat in Australia in the now infamous tour.

But Dallaglio believes England, who are missing a number of players through injury, will be "very competitive".

He said: "The guys will want to stake their claims for next season and will be aware everything is up for grabs."

New Zealand have won their last 26 home Tests in the five years since Dallaglio was part of the England side that beat the All Blacks 15-13 on a filthy night in Wellington during the build-up to the 2003 World Cup.

Since that victory however Dallaglio and England's success rate against the All Blacks has been on a downward curve.

The 35-year-old was captain when England were comprehensively beaten 36-3 and 36-13 in 2004.

Shortly afterwards, Dallaglio announced his international retirement but a year later he returned to the Test arena with the British and Irish Lions only to suffer serious injury in the opening game of the disastrous tour which ended in a 3-0 Lions whitewash.

Speaking at the launch of the Help for Heroes match on 20 September, which hopes to raise more than £1m to treat troops injured in Iraq and Afghanistan, Dallaglio warned: "Make no mistake, New Zealand is a tough place to win.

"We won our first game there in 30 years the year we won the World Cup and we had a pretty good team then so it will be tough."

England's task has been made even more difficult as they will be without winger Paul Sackey, centre Dan Hipkiss and fly-halves Danny Cipriani and Jonny Wilkinson through injury.

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The new laws, which, from next season, will be trialled globally for a year, were already partially in use during last season's Super 14.

"The games are being played under the existing laws rather than the new ELVs so it should benefit England," he added.